Smith PA18 replica accident near Chesterville, Maine, July 14, 2009
On July 14, 2009 at about 5:40 pm local time, a Smith PA18 replica, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N846PT, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Chesterville, Maine (Egypt Pond airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while turning from base leg to final approach.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 14, 2009 · about 5:40 pm local time
- Place
- Chesterville, Maine · Egypt Pond · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Smith PA18 replica, amateur-built
- Registration
- N846PT · registry record · serial 073
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated he was turning base to final in preparation for a water landing with his float equipped airplane. He reported the airspeed was 60 miles per hour. During the turn, at approximately 30 to 40 feet above the trees, the airplane began to sink and the left wing and nose dropped. The pilot further stated he had no time to recover as the aircraft impacted trees, and then the ground. He also stated that there were no deficiencies with the performance and handling of the airplane. The pilot explained that this accident may have been prevented if he performed a steeper approach with increased airspeed. The pilot reported that he had 2,070 hours of total flight experience, of which 172 hours were in the accident airplane make and model configured with floats. The recorded wind at an airport 15 nautical miles south southeast, about the time of the accident, was variable at 4 knots; however, the pilot reported rain showers in the vicinity accompanied by “rolling turbulence from the near by hills." Review of recorded weather at approximately the time and within a 30-nautical mile radius of the accident site did not reveal precipitation or wind gusts. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to both wings, wing struts, elevator and to the engine firewall.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern base)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 2,070 hours in all; 325 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: August 23, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 327 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 5, 2009; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OWK Norridgewock ME at 4:30 pm
- Destination: Egypt Pond ME
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,500 ft; a few clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from AUG, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.